ECU connection

[SL500]

Hi again Cerby Peeps.

I started something similar to this a while ago. I have not however moved forward too much.

I will explain.

On my 4.5 1999 model Cerb I have a nine pin serial port (female on my car's ecu) I want to connect my lap top to this that does not have a serial port. I have the ECU programme on my lap top already installed. I have tried a serial to usb adapter that fit the outlet on my ecu, but this does not work. I have windows XP on my lap top. Anyone know if I can get this to work.

When I used to do this I had an old computer with it's own serial port and windows 95.

Many thanks



Paul

[Scrooloose]

Serial to USB can be quite hit and miss.

I've just bought an old laptop from ebay for £30......

[SL500]

Scrooloose said:

Serial to USB can be quite hit and miss.

I've just bought an old laptop from ebay for £30......

If it works could you let me know please

[Scrooloose]

It works perfectly, but I've got an Emerald ECU.

AFAIK the MBE software should run fine on an older laptop, just make sure that you get one with serial.....

[Duke Thrust]

Oddly enough I was messing about with the this last night, tried 2 different USB to serial adaptors and no joy - old laptop and a serial cable worked first time.

[JensenA]

I've got an old Laptop, with Win XP and a serial connection, and very time I try and connect up I have to go through the following procedure...don't know why, but I have to do it every time.

1. Connect Cable to the Laptop
2. Start up the ECU Diags program
3. Get a message saying "Unable to open Comm/Serial Port/Connect to ECU" (Something along those line)
4. Go into Device Manager (Right click My Computer > Manage).
5. Go down to Ports, Select Comm Port 1, properties, Driver Tab, and uninstall the Driver.
6. When it has done its stuff, right click on Ports and select 'Scan for Hardware changes' It then detects a 'new device' and hey presto the ECU Diags will now work.

Bit of a rigmarole, but it always works for me.

[RR Cerbera]

None of my laptops have a serial port and I went through a few cheap and nasty ebay adapters before biting the bullet and buying one from RS Components. Although this one works, it isn't great, with frequent drop-outs.

[Byker28i]

Never had a problem with Serial to USB, but just make sure it's configured as Com1. You may have to go into device mangler and move other com based devices around - trackpad/rollerball/mouse, IR port etc.